Glorious Exit

a documentary film by Kevin Merz
Switzerland 2008, beta digital, 75′, o.v. English/German, sbt. English

Festivals & Prizes

Festival del film Locarno “Appellations Suisse”, 2008
Real Life Documentary Film Festival, international competition, Accra (Ghana), 2008 – Grand Prix Award
Solothurner Filmtage, Switzerland 2008
Cinéma du réel, Paris 2008
Astra Film Festival, Sibiu (Romania) 2010 – Special Jury Award for Best Cinema Narrative
Terre Alte… emozioni dal mondo Festival, Milano (Italy) 2008 – Walter Mosley Award – ex aequo
Festival de Cine Internacional, Ourense (Spain) 2008 – Best documentary Award

Synopsis:

Jarreth Merz, an actor of Swiss and Nigerian origins living in Los Angeles, ends up facing his roots when he is been told that his father is dead. Following the Nigerian tradition, in fact, the eldest son has to take care of the funeral of his father. But who is this unknown father? Why does Jarreth feel a moral obligation towards a family he hardly knows and who has never really been interested in him? Jarreth begins a journey to discover his father through the tales of the people who knew him and a country that doesn’t belong to him even if it is part of his life. Confronting himself with traditions that challenge his beliefs, from Los Angeles to Nigeria Jarreth will face this decisive chapter of his life and the changes that will follow.